NIKE VAPOR 9.5 TOUR REVIEW
Summary
The Roger Federer inspired Vapor 9 Tour quickly turned into many players' favourite shoe when it was released. Now, Nike have taken another step forward with the introduction of the Vapor 9.5 Tour. Don't worry, everything you loved about the previous version is still there, like the Adaptive Fit lacing system and the fast, low-to-the-ground feel. You're still going to get that perfectly customisable fit that offers tons of support and stability, too. Now, the newly designed upper hugs your foot in a seamless design for an even faster, more comfortable feel. The durability issues are still there, so this may be a shoe best saved for competition purposes, but in our opinion, there may not be a better option out there for match day!
| Nike Vapor 9.5 Tour - Scores | |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4,9/5 |
| Ventilation | 4,3/5 |
| Arch Support | 3,5/5 |
| Foot Support/Stability | 4,8/5 |
| Overall Sole Durability | 2,0/5 |
| Toe Durability | 3,5/5 |
| Traction | 4,7/5 |
| Weight | 4,6/5 |
| Overall | 4,6/5 |
Comfort - Score: 4,9/5
Our playtesters raved about the comfort and fit of the Vapor 9.5 Tour. Plush cushioning surrounds your foot while the Adaptive Fit technology provides a fully customisable fit all the way down the lacing system. The new seamless upper design is even softer and lighter than ever before, too. These shoes were so comfortable our testers were often seen walking around town in them, but that may have some to do with the sharp-looking cosmetics, too.
Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4,8/5
Another area where the Vapor 9.5 Tour really impressed our playtesters was its support and stability, which allowed both players to move around at top speeds with full confidence. The way the shoe wraps the foot so well provides exceptional support, even given the lightweight, 'slipper-like' feel. One of our testers felt totally comfortable aggressively sliding on the hard courts in his pair as well. The level of stability the shoe offers is a big reason why it is such a favourite amongst elite-level players.
Overall Sole Durability - Score: 2,0/5
The Vapor 9.5 Tour is not known for its durability, and this was one area where our playtesters were pretty disappointed. One of them wore through his pair is just a couple of weeks on hard courts while the other was through the outsole in about 10 hours. They did not wear in any unusual pattern, they are just simply not as durable as most other shoes on the market. Both players wore through their pair in the areas they normally wear out their shoes; it just happened much quicker than usual.
Traction - Score: 4.7/5
Nike's signature XDR rubber compound on the outsole of the Vapor 9.5 Tour offered nearly perfect traction for our playtest team. They both noted the blend of grip and give that the shoe had, allowing them to start and stop at will but not have the kind of 'stickiness' that wears down their joints on the hard courts. The players were aggressively sliding and found that they had total control over the slide. The shoe had a very predictable response throughout the playtest, even when the outsole tread pattern was wearing down.
Weight - Score: 4,6/5
The lightweight, fast feel of the Vapor 9.5 Tour was another strength of the shoe, as our testers never felt hampered or weighed-down by the design at all. They are very light to begin with, but they also fit the foot so well and flex so naturally with each step that it made it easy to forget we were even wearing them! The low to the ground design also provides exceptional court feel and kept us very connected to our movements.
Overall - Score: 4,6/5
Likes
Chris - “ I love the updated cosmetics, which are more aggressive. I found the fit and feel (all of which I loved in the previous version) to still be there. This update was subtle, but this shoe is still one of the best out there and is only challenged by the Lunar Ballistec. ”
Andy - “ Extremely comfortable and lightweight, perfect traction and very stable, allowing me to feel my fastest on court. I also love the cosmetic! ”
Dislikes
Chris - “ The lack of durability means I have to save them for match play only. ”
Andy - “ Not enough support through the arch for me and not durable enough. ”
COMPARED WITH OTHER MODELS:
Chris - “ It has a very similar fit and feel to the previous version. If you are looking for a fast feeling shoe, this is right at the top of my list. Others to consider would be the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2, Nike Lunar Ballistec and adidas adizero Feather III. ”
Andy - “ It's lighter, faster and more comfortable than the previous version, and I felt like it was an overall improvement. The Vapor 9 was already a great shoe, but the Vapor 9.5 is even better. It's also similar to the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2, and although the Vapor may be a little more cushioned and comfortable, it's not as supportive or durable. The adidas adizero Feather III also comes to mind, but the Vapor is. once again, more comfortable. ”
Playtester Foot Types:
Chris - Narrow width / Medium arch
Andy - Medium width / Low arch
Review date: April 2014. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.
All content copyright 2015 Tennis Warehouse Europe.
